As we have reported several times before, the Nissan V-Platform sedan dubbed Sunny has been unveiled at the 8th China (Guangzhou) International Motor Show. The vehicle will be sold in China starting January 2011 and the release informs us that 170 countries are on the Sunny’s radar.
Mr. Kiminobu Tokuyama, Managing Director & CEO, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. (NMIPL) -
Following the success of our first locally made car –the Nissan Micra, we are happy to reveal the first visuals of the second car to be produced in India. We are confident that the “New Global Sedan”, which is also based on the versatile ‘V’ platform, will delight the discerning Indian customers. The model will be launched in India in the second half of 2011.
The Sunny might carry a different name in India and is expected with a 1.6-liter petrol engine and the Micra diesel’s 1.5-liter engine.
On looking at the images, the welcome additions are height adjustable rear head rests and rear AC vent. The rear grab rails are mounted using pulleys and a sun roof is another distinct feature.
Coming to the dashboard, the center console has changed. The AC vents are square. The twin similarly sized dials are easy to read and the hatch’s ORVM will be good for the sedan too. Automatic transmission should be offered in India at a later stage. Otherwise things stay similar to the Micra.
The sedan on the outside looks nothing like the hatch. The tail portion is similar to the Teana while the front end has gained considerable mass.
If you have been keenly observing the auto market in India, you will notice that every now and then, an auto manufacturer gets its wrong. Almost all companies have got some product under their belly that they are not very proud of. Even the son of the soil, Maruti Suzuki has burnt their hands with the Grand Vitara and Versa.
Not Honda! Honda has got all their products right in India. And it is not even that they were strictly playing by the rules. I mean come on. How did Honda manage to sell thousands of 8 lakh rupee hatchbacks (Honda Jazz)? The answer lies in the question: ‘Honda.’
Brand ‘Honda’ stands tall as much in the first hand market as it does in the second hand market. And trust me, Honda has seen its fare share of ‘cars up in flames’ and ‘factory recalls’. But still the image of Big ‘H’ has never been charred and has manage to mop up as many J D Power ‘Quality’ awards as it can.
The Proton EMAS has been a under our scanner since the time it was conceived. We brought you the 2 door and the 4 door version as soon as they were leaked. The reason why we believe it is so important is because it is surely coming to India. This would be Proton’s stallion in the entry-level hatchback market.
Now that Proton has almost confirmed their entry with a sedan, an entry level hatch and an MPV, we have all the more reasons to believe that the EMAS will see the Indian shore by 2013.
Lotus chief executive Dany Bahar -
We are doing this together with Proton and another OEM [original equipment manufacturer, or car manufacturer]. We will build three versions: one for the Asian market, one for Europe and a sportier one
Which brings us to our second question – The European EMAS is being tested right now at the Lotus factory as you are reading this. Yes, Proton will make three different versions of the EMAS – An affordable variant with low-cost car credentials for Asia and a sporty version with more horsepower. So while the rest of the world gets a stiff and powerful Lotus hot hatchback, India gets a cold Proton family hatchback.
The third variant could be a hybrid car for Europe.
Are we actually witnessing a new JV? Are Nissan and Proton ready to shake hands with each other? Do you think it is a wise choice to make the new Proton at Nissan’s Chennai factory while the others are made by Argentum?
Entry posted on December 19, 2010 by
Shrawan Raja;
Read More on Skoda
Just a few days back we showed you the prototype of the new Skoda logo. Next year the company will celebrate 20 successful years with Volkswagen to mark the occasion, a new logo will be unveiled.
Earlier we showed you just the concept of the logo, with the blue logo hinting at its relationship with VW and a new refined winged arrow.
Now we see a more polished version of the same on wheelosphere. The winged arrow is similar to the current logo and there is a silver lining along a part of the circumference. We still feel that this logo is not as good as the current one. Not all of us like change, we also have to agree.
Let us wait for the final picture of it before making any further comments.
What you see here is believed to be the next generation mini truck from Force Motors to take on Tata Motors, Piaggio and Mahindra.
We’re uncertain about the displacement, payload capacity or dimensions of the truck. Force Motors could position this under the Trump 15 whose payload capacity is rated at 790kg. Perhaps this is a half-tonne payload truck to take on the Tata Ace Zip, Mahindra Gio and Piaggio Ape mini truck.
The vehicles in that category have sub-500cc engine displacements and are used to haul loads inside city limits.
Do you have more information on this Force LCV? Why don’t you lay it down in the comment box below?
The Tata Nano certainly needs a touchy-feely advertisement to bring it back into our minds. The tagline “Key to your happiness” is apt for the Nano which is facing a tough time in our market. Its features and Indian family-oriented design is reflected well in this ad which opens with a girl asking her grandmother when the Nano will arrive home.
The storyline then shifts to the Nano’s journey to the Indian home. It’s acceleration and space are highlighted as two-wheeler commuters are surprised by its pickup. It also proves its ability to tackle bad roads and no roads as it draws the interest of people on the road like it does in real life.
Once the Nano arrives home, it brings along joy. The girl hugs the car, the family gets ready to welcome it with the usual traditions. The girl notices everyone in the neighborhood admiring the car, and to save it from evil and prying eyes, she applies some of her eyeliner on the car.
The Ad’s message is people commuting on three-wheelers and two-wheelers can shift into a Nano with its 4 year warranty and affordable attributes.
Very nice. Very well done Tata Motors!
Tata ads always have a comic flavor. The Nano then is the first time Tata lent a touchy-feely tone and rightly so.
Nissan has placed giant cards at the Guangzhou Auto Show teasing the Nissan Sunny. The Nissan Sunny sits on the Micra’s platform and will come to India during Diwali 2011. Starting on December 21, the Guangzhou Auto Show will host the unveiling of the Nissan Sunny and the Chevrolet Sail EV, both expected in India next year.
The Nissan Sunny could continue in some countries with the hatchback’s 1.2-liter engine. In India however, Nissan is said to be considering the 1.5-liter diesel engine and a new 4-cylinder 1.6-liter petrol engine. Nissan isn’t expected to price the sedan aggressively. We are not expecting the starting price to fall below 8 lakh rupees.
Mahindra will launch the highly anticipated Thar jeep on the 21st of the this month at its Kandivali facility. The Thar’s being produced already for the overseas market. This is merely a local launch and not the first roll out function.
We have already published a speculative article on the Thar’s prices in Hyderabad. If those are legitimate, then the Thar is going to be received well. There isn’t any major competition as such for a niche market vehicle such as the Thar.
Mahindra will fit the Thar with a 2.5-liter CRDI engine producing 105hp and 247Nm torque. It has more off-roading gear than you can shake a stick at.
As we have reported several times before, the Nissan V-Platform sedan dubbed Sunny has been unveiled at the 8th China (Guangzhou) International Motor Show. The vehicle will be sold in China starting January 2011 and the release informs us that 170 countries are on the Sunny’s radar.
